The 27th annual Black Harvest Film Festival kicked off Friday. After going fully virtual last year, the festival is back in-person at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Audiences can watch more than 30 films and documentaries and six short film series. Filmmakers will also attend some of the screenings for Q&A sessions.

“There’s a real hunger for Black cinema,” said festival co-founder Sergio Mims. “The overwhelming majority of black films are made independently outside the studio system. And you know, some of these films get lucky and get distribution. Some of them don’t get distribution and there still has to be some sort of venue for these films to be seen. So that’s why one of the main reasons, maybe the most important reason why Black Harvest was created.”

Some of the highlights include a documentary about music icon Dionne Warwick, and “King Richard” which tells the story of Venus and Serena Williams, and stars Will Smith. The festival runs until Dec. 2. Tickets can be purchased www.SiskelFilmCenter.org.